South Carolina's top 20 seniors for class of 2014

Gaffney quarterback Shaq Davidson (4) threw for 869 yards and rushed for 609 yards to lead the Indians to the 4A Division I state title last year. Davidson has earned offers from Notre Dame and Georgia Tech along with a host of others.

JOHN BYRUM/john.byrum@shj.com

By JASON GILMERFor the Herald-Journal

Published: Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 10:42 p.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, February 9, 2013 at 10:42 p.m.

1. Shaq Davidson, Gaffney QB

The buzz: Davidson, who is also the No. 1 recruit in the state according to 247 Sports, has picked up offers from Notre Dame and Georgia Tech this year and will get plenty more. He threw for 869 yards and ran for 609 last season.

2. Donell Stanley,Latta OL

The buzz: Stanley could be the state's top recruit. At 6-foot-4 and more than 325 pounds, Stanley may also be one of the nation's top 10-ranked linemen. He already has offers from South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama and many others.

3. Christian Miller,Spring Valley LB

The buzz: Miller finished the season with 151 tackles, including 21 for loss, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

4. Kevin Crosby, Bamberg-Ehrhardt LB

The buzz: Crosby starred on both sides of the field for Bambrg-Ehrhardt last season, catching 31 passes for 910 yards and 11 scores as a tight end and finishing with 68 tackles and nine sacks.

5. Jacob Park, Stratford QB

The buzz: Park was 139 of 228 last year for 2,484 yards and 23 touchdowns. He ran the ball 90 times for 404 yards with four touchdowns.

6. Dexter Wideman, Saluda DT

The buzz: Wideman, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, recorded 58 tackles through 11 games, including 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

7. Caleb Kinlaw, Goose Creek RB

The buzz: Kinlaw is a burner in the backfield and has averaged 8.7 yards per carry during his prep career. He has already run for 3,021 yards after he posting 1,006 yards and 15 touchdowns during an injury-plagued junior season.

8. Kalan Ritchie, Goose Creek TE

The buzz: Ritchie simply adds to a recent list of standouts from Goose Creek. He finished last season with small numbers (six catches for 79 yards with three touchdowns) but coaches love his size (he's listed as 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds).

9. Cannon Smith, Hammond TE

The buzz: Smith committed to Clemson last July and is considered one of the top five tight ends in the country. He caught 19 passes for 365 yards and four scores as a sophomore and 35 passes for 485 yards and five scores as a junior.

10. Blake Bone, Woodruff WR

The buzz: Bone was the go-to receiver for the Wolverines last season as he grabbed 64 passes for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns.

11. Jae'lon Ogelesby, Daniel RB

The buzz: Ogelesby, who earned the Anderson-Independent Mail's Player of the Year award in 2012, will stay close to home for college, as he's already committed to Clemson. He ran for 2,472 yards and 33 touchdowns last season.

12. Naquez Pringle, Carvers Bay DT

The buzz: Pringle, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds, finished last season with 92 tackles and four sacks. He's one of the top 15 defensive tackles in the country.

13. C.J. Fuller, Easley RB

The buzz: Fuller played in a wing-T offense last season and starred in it. He ran for 1,939 yards during the regular season. He has been offered by Clemson and some thought a commitment would be soon, but it hasn't happened yet.

14. Joe Blue, Dillon LB

The buzz: Blue led Dillon with 105 tackles as a sophomore, but split time on offense and defense last fall. He rushed for 646 yards and 18 scores as the Wildcat quarterback and still had more than 50 tackles.

15. Deebo Samuel, Chapman WR

The buzz: Samuel might be one of the best receivers of the lot but he hasn't gotten the deserved publicity. He caught 78 passes last season for 1,246 yards and 18 touchdowns.

16. Hyleck Foster, Gaffney RB

The buzz: Foster helped the Indians to the 4A Division I state title last season as he ran for 1,799 yards on 277 carries. The all-region player ran for 26 touchdowns.

17. Taylor Hearn, Williston-Elko OL

The buzz: Hearn, who is 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, committed to Clemson earlier this week. He also had an offer from North Carolina.

18. Darin Smalls, Summerville CB

The buzz: Smalls, who already has an offer from South Carolina, had 58 tackles and intercepted four passes last season. He also returned three kicks for scores.

19. Mason Rudolph, Northwestern QB

The buzz: Rudolph earned The Rock Hill Herald's Offensive Player of the Year award last season after he completed 346 of 504 passes for 3,990 yards. He threw 41 touchdown passes and ran for 10 more scores.

20. Shuler Bentley, Byrnes QB

The buzz: Bentley won the state's Gatorade Player of the Year award last season after throwing for 4,718 yards and 59 touchdowns.

<p><b>1. Shaq Davidson, Gaffney QB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Davidson, who is also the No. 1 recruit in the state according to 247 Sports, has picked up offers from Notre Dame and Georgia Tech this year and will get plenty more. He threw for 869 yards and ran for 609 last season.</p><p><b>2. Donell Stanley,Latta OL</p><p>The buzz:</b> Stanley could be the state's top recruit. At 6-foot-4 and more than 325 pounds, Stanley may also be one of the nation's top 10-ranked linemen. He already has offers from South Carolina, Clemson, Alabama and many others.</p><p><b>3. Christian Miller,Spring Valley LB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Miller finished the season with 151 tackles, including 21 for loss, 14 sacks, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.</p><p><b>4. Kevin Crosby, Bamberg-Ehrhardt LB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Crosby starred on both sides of the field for Bambrg-Ehrhardt last season, catching 31 passes for 910 yards and 11 scores as a tight end and finishing with 68 tackles and nine sacks.</p><p> </p><p><b>5. Jacob Park, Stratford QB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Park was 139 of 228 last year for 2,484 yards and 23 touchdowns. He ran the ball 90 times for 404 yards with four touchdowns.</p><p><b>6. Dexter Wideman, Saluda DT</p><p>The buzz:</b> Wideman, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 255 pounds, recorded 58 tackles through 11 games, including 9.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.</p><p><b>7. Caleb Kinlaw, Goose Creek RB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Kinlaw is a burner in the backfield and has averaged 8.7 yards per carry during his prep career. He has already run for 3,021 yards after he posting 1,006 yards and 15 touchdowns during an injury-plagued junior season.</p><p><b>8. Kalan Ritchie, Goose Creek TE</p><p>The buzz:</b> Ritchie simply adds to a recent list of standouts from Goose Creek. He finished last season with small numbers (six catches for 79 yards with three touchdowns) but coaches love his size (he's listed as 6-foot-7 and 225 pounds).</p><p><b>9. Cannon Smith, Hammond TE</p><p>The buzz:</b> Smith committed to Clemson last July and is considered one of the top five tight ends in the country. He caught 19 passes for 365 yards and four scores as a sophomore and 35 passes for 485 yards and five scores as a junior.</p><p><b>10. Blake Bone, Woodruff WR</p><p>The buzz:</b> Bone was the go-to receiver for the Wolverines last season as he grabbed 64 passes for 1,144 yards and 14 touchdowns.</p><p><b>11. Jae'lon Ogelesby, Daniel RB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Ogelesby, who earned the Anderson-Independent Mail's Player of the Year award in 2012, will stay close to home for college, as he's already committed to Clemson. He ran for 2,472 yards and 33 touchdowns last season.</p><p><b>12. Naquez Pringle, Carvers Bay DT</p><p>The buzz:</b> Pringle, who is listed at 6-foot-2 and 270 pounds, finished last season with 92 tackles and four sacks. He's one of the top 15 defensive tackles in the country.</p><p><b>13. C.J. Fuller, Easley RB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Fuller played in a wing-T offense last season and starred in it. He ran for 1,939 yards during the regular season. He has been offered by Clemson and some thought a commitment would be soon, but it hasn't happened yet.</p><p><b>14. Joe Blue, Dillon LB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Blue led Dillon with 105 tackles as a sophomore, but split time on offense and defense last fall. He rushed for 646 yards and 18 scores as the Wildcat quarterback and still had more than 50 tackles.</p><p><b>15. Deebo Samuel, Chapman WR</p><p>The buzz:</b> Samuel might be one of the best receivers of the lot but he hasn't gotten the deserved publicity. He caught 78 passes last season for 1,246 yards and 18 touchdowns.</p><p><b>16. Hyleck Foster, Gaffney RB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Foster helped the Indians to the 4A Division I state title last season as he ran for 1,799 yards on 277 carries. The all-region player ran for 26 touchdowns.</p><p><b>17. Taylor Hearn, Williston-Elko OL</p><p>The buzz:</b> Hearn, who is 6-foot-5 and 305 pounds, committed to Clemson earlier this week. He also had an offer from North Carolina.</p><p><b>18. Darin Smalls, Summerville CB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Smalls, who already has an offer from South Carolina, had 58 tackles and intercepted four passes last season. He also returned three kicks for scores.</p><p><b>19. Mason Rudolph, Northwestern QB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Rudolph earned The Rock Hill Herald's Offensive Player of the Year award last season after he completed 346 of 504 passes for 3,990 yards. He threw 41 touchdown passes and ran for 10 more scores.</p><p><b>20. Shuler Bentley, Byrnes QB</p><p>The buzz:</b> Bentley won the state's Gatorade Player of the Year award last season after throwing for 4,718 yards and 59 touchdowns.</p>